OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Symbolic Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the symbolic frame
2. Apply the symbolic frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

As a youth leader volunteer at Real Life Students Ministry, part of Real Life Church, I
play a crucial role in guiding young students through their spiritual and personal
development. This involves organizing various activities and events to foster fellowship,
build community bonds, and promote growth. I was entrusted with organizing a
graduation party for senior students, recognizing their achievements and bidding them
farewell as they transition from the youth ministry. Despite expressing my enthusiasm
and having prepared several deliverables, including a senior slideshow, I encountered
challenges when my youth director unilaterally changed the party's date without
consulting me. Despite this setback, I remained committed to the project, only to find out
a month later that an impromptu, poorly executed party had been organized, leaving the
seniors disappointed. When I raised my concerns, I was accused of ineffective
communication, being the reason as to why my youth director ultimately deciding to take
over the project. This experience underscored the importance of clear communication and
trust in collaborative endeavors within our ministry.

2) Describe how the symbols of the organization influenced the situation.

In planning the youth group graduation party, several organizational symbols played a
crucial role in shaping the situation. The titles and roles assigned to leaders within the
youth group, such as youth pastor, small group leader, or worship leader, serve as
symbols of authority and guidance (Bolman & Deal, 2021). These leaders are seen as role
models and mentors for the members. As a youth group leader volunteer, I held a
significant leadership role within the ministry, guiding young students through their
spiritual and personal development. However, the unilateral decision by the youth
director to change the party's date without consulting me undermined my leadership
position, causing confusion and disrupting the planning process. This highlighted a
discrepancy in leadership roles within the ministry, leading to discord in event
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 coordination. The mission and vision statements of the youth group ministry articulate its
purpose and goals. They are guiding principles and symbols of the group's collective
aspirations and values (Bolman & Deal, 2021). Furthermore, our youth group ministry's
mission and vision statements, emphasizing values like community, inclusivity, and
celebration, guided the purpose and goals of our planned activities. My commitment to
organizing the graduation party aligned with our mission of creating a supportive and
celebratory environment for our members. Special events and activities organized by the
youth group, such as retreats, mission trips, or outreach projects, become symbolic of
service, growth, and outreach (Bolman & Deal, 2021). These events provide
opportunities for our youth to live out their faith and make a positive impact on others.
However, the impromptu and poorly executed party without my input contradicted our
mission's values, making the seniors feel undervalued and unappreciated. This situation
underscored the necessity of aligning leadership roles, mission and vision statements, and
the purpose of events within our ministry to ensure cohesion and effectiveness in our
operations.

3) Recommend how you would use organizational symbols for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

Leveraging organizational symbols can enhance our approach within the youth ministry
by seeking an alternative course of action. Firstly, we can utilize symbols such as
leadership roles to redefine and clarify responsibilities within the team. By clearly
delineating roles and establishing communication channels, we ensure that decisions are
made transparently. For example, designating a project lead responsible for event
planning and coordination can provide a focal point for communication and decision-
making. Secondly, revisiting and reinforcing our mission and vision statements can be
powerful symbols to realign our collective purpose and values. By regularly
communicating and reaffirming these statements, we can assure that all team members,
including the youth group leaders and members, remain connected to the ministry's
overarching goals. This shared understanding can guide our actions and decision-making
processes, fostering unity and alignment toward common objectives. Lastly, we can
utilize symbols such as event themes to reinforce the ministry's mission and values for
future events and activities. Incorporating these symbols into event planning and
execution can create a meaningful experience for participants, including the youth group
leaders and members. Also, establishing rituals or traditions associated with these events
can further solidify their importance within the ministry and reinforce its cultural identity.
By effectively leveraging these organizational symbols, we can improve communication
and decision-making and strengthen the effectiveness of our ministry's operations. These
symbols serve as powerful tools to guide behavior, foster unity, and reinforce the shared
purpose and values of the youth group ministry.

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 4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

Given the symbolic frame of organizations, my approach to the youth group ministry's
challenges would significantly evolve. Firstly, I would prioritize enhancing
communication channels to ensure clarity and transparency among team members.
Understanding the power of symbols such as leadership roles and mission statements, I
would apply them as tools to emphasize collaboration and shared understanding in
decision-making processes. I would strengthen our collective sense of purpose and
direction by fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. I would
actively work to reinforce the cultural identity of the youth group ministry by integrating
rituals, traditions, and symbols into our activities, creating a sense of belonging and unity
among participants, and aligning our actions with the values and principles of the
ministry. Promoting accountability within the team would be paramount. Emphasizing
the importance of upholding the ministry's values and principles, I encourage team
members to align their actions with symbolic representations of our mission and vision.
This accountability fosters a culture of integrity and responsibility, confirming our
actions reflect our aspirations. I remain open to feedback and learning opportunities,
continuously adapting our approach based on insights gained from experiences. This
adaptive mindset allows us to evolve our use of symbols over time, ensuring their
relevance and impact within the ministry.

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 Reference or References

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership,
7th edition - audio. McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio.